Mini Chocolate Donuts

I've been thinking a lot about mixing. People that mix...personalities....ingredients....

Sometimes it's hard to know. But when it comes to baking, I'll tell you what does mix - chocolate and mini donuts.

I was gifted a Sunbeam Mini Donut Maker for Christmas. This was probably my favorite gift that Santa toted down the Iaciofano family chimney.

Its claim to fame is, "7 delicious donuts in minutes!" 7 minutes?! How could I not?

Now, a small caveat: You do need a mini donut maker (I recommend the Sunbeam version) to make these. However, you could also use the batter in a waffle iron, or even on a griddle for pancakes. A donut pan would work, too.

Another small caveat (we are talking about mini-donuts, after all): I made them a bit...HEALTHY. They have whole wheat and almond flours instead of your typical all-purpose white. Don't doubt. Just try and see. It's a donut, after all.

OK, let's get going:

What You Need:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup almond flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup almond milk (you can use regular milk or soy milk as well)

1 egg, beaten

What To Do:

In a food processor or large bowl combine the whole wheat and almond flours, the cocoa powder, unsweetened coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking powder. Mix to combine. If you're not using a food processor, just fire up a sturdy wisk and mix it up in a regular bowl!

In a smaller bowl, combine the beaten egg, milk and maple syrup. Whip it up with a fork to combine.

Add the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until it is all incorporated.

Heat up the donut maker (or waffle iron) according to the manufacturer instructions. I recommend spraying to greasing it with a non-stick spray if possible.

Pipe in your donut batter carefully. I loaded a ziploc baggie with batter, then trimmed out a small whole in one of the corners of the bag so I could squeeze the batter through with some control. But keep the plastic away from the heated donut maker because it will melt. And how!

Fill all the little donut circles, shut the lid and let the maker go to town! It will. In minutes you will have the cutest, chocolatey donuts you have seen this side of 4:30 am. Dust them with powdered sugar for a little sweetness (and, let's face it, looks) and pop them in your pockets, your kid's lunch box, give them out to strangers...make it happen.